“The Aviator” film is a critically acclaimed film, directed by Martin Scorsese, depicting two major events in the life of Howard Hughes, an eccentric aviation pioneer portrayed intensely by Leonardo di Caprio. The film depicted Hughes entry into Hollywood filmmaking and his nasty public battles with U.S. Sen. Owen Brewster over the usefulness of the planes that Hughes Aircraft built for the U.S. military during World War II.  His company, the Hughes Aircraft, was responsible for the H-4 Hercules, nicknamed “Spruce Goose” by detractors.  “The Aviator” features Hughes’ sexually charged private life and his prolific and public professional life.  The epic film also explores his fierce competition with Pan American Airways founder Juan Trippe and his right-hand man Noah Dietrich. 

The “Aviators” combination of digital technology, classic lighting techniques and outstanding production has captured the time period with an astounding accuracy.  The flying scenes are breathtaking and its cinematography, both in the air and on the ground is a thing of beauty.  The film received fairly high positive reviews, reporting that 180 out of the 203 reviews they tallied on the website Rotten Tomatoes, it scored a positive 89% and certification of fresh.  The film grossed $102M at the U.S. box office and $111M at the foreign box office.  The Aviator was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and won 5, including Best Supporting Actress Cate Blanchett, for portraying the role of Katherine Hepburn.  The film also won the BAFTA Award for Best Film.